Barcelona planning to re-sign lionel messi after 2026 world cup
Lionel Messi planning a Barcelona reunion by signing a new contract with Inter Miami: Report
Inter Miami are planning to extend Lionel Messi's stay in the MLS for another year as they are set to offer a new contract to the Argentine great. Messi has brought a lot of attention to MLS with his arrival at the Inter Miami in 2023. He boosted the sport's popularity in the US as they are set to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Messi's existing contract is set to expire after next season, but Inter Miami is in no mood to let him go so early.
According to a report on Marca, Messi is working on signing a new contract with Miami, which will allow him to play in Europe. The 37-year-old is planning to extend his stay with the Argentine team for the 2026 World Cup to help them defend their crown. To get himself ready for the big challenge in 2026, Messi might return to Europe in his potential contract extension; there will be a clause allowing him to play in Europe at the end of 2025 and the start of 2026. It might allow a Barcelona reunion, his former club, which is still very close to his heart.
Messi is getting another preseason tour with Inter Miami, this one a five-match trip that w
Barcelona planning audacious move to re-sign Messi in January, operation ‘complicated’
According to a surprise report from SPORT, Barcelona intend to make their move to re-sign Lionel Messi from Paris Saint-Germain in the January transfer window itself.
It is no secret at this point that the
Blaugrana
are keen on bringing Messi back to the club, having been forced to see him leave last year due to the financial situation.
With the Argentina captain’s contract at PSG expiring next summer, Barça were planning to swoop in for him at the end of the season and land him on a Bosman deal.
However, as per the report, Barcelona are now considering fast-tracking those plans to the January window itself.
This is because the Catalan giants will be operating on the 1:1 rule during the winter market, wherein they can reinvest every penny they earn into player signings. For the next summer window, the club would likely be back to the 1:4 rule, which would make it very difficult for them to re-sign Messi.
Hence, president Joan Laporta is seriously considering the prospect of making an attempt to sign the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner as early as the January window. However,
Lionel Messi: Barcelona 'slowly preparing' sensational signing of Inter Miami star as intended return date is 'revealed'
La Liga giants
Barcelona
are reportedly plotting a sensational move to re-sign eight-time Ballon d'Or winner
Lionel Messi
.
The Argentine icon was forced to leave Camp Nou in the summer of 2021 after 17 memorable years at the club, as cash-strapped Barca could not afford to extend his contract due to
"financial and structural obstacles"
.
Messi went onto spend
two 'unenjoyable' seasons
at Paris Saint-Germain before opting to leave Europe and join Florida-based MLS outfit
Inter Miami
in July 2023 on a free transfer.
At the age of 37, Messi has made a significant impression in the United States, scoring 38 goals and registering 20 assists in 44 appearances across all competitions.
Messi helped Inter Miami win the Leagues Cup in 2023 and the Supporters' Shield in 2024, and his impact last season was recognised with the 2024 MLS MVP award.
© Imago
Barcelona planning to sign Messi after 2026 World Cup?
The legendary attacker has since made a bright start to the 2025 campaign, contributing to six goals (four goals, two assists) in his opening five ap
What’s next for Messi? Miami contract, 2026 FIFA World Cup, retirement
Lionel Messi’s journey at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 has come to an end after Inter Miami were handed a 4-0 thumping by Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the tournament’s last 16.
Following their loss to the European champions on Sunday, Inter Miami now bring their attention back to Major League Soccer (MLS), where their campaign in the Eastern Conference was put on hold during the Club World Cup in the United States.
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Messi will continue to lead in his third year at Miami, but questions remain over his future plans with club and country.
What did Messi say after Miami’s loss to PSG?
While Messi failed to score in the game dominated by PSG, he had one header saved by the opposition goalkeeper and a free kick that hit the goalpost.
Despite his frustration, Messi praised PSG by saying the result was “expected”.
“The match was what was expected,” he told Latin American sports channel DSports.
“They’re a great team, winners of the last Champions League, and they’re in really good shape. It was the match we expected. We tried to do our best, and I think we left a